EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology (2016) University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Dissertation: Evaluating resistance surfaces for modeling wildlife movement and connectivity
M.S. in Environmental Studies (2003) University of Montana, Missoula, Montana
Thesis: Using the Jaguar (Panthera onca) for Biodiversity Conservation Planning in Central America
B.S. in Biology (1997) Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
July 2017 – present
Postdoctoral Researcher; Modeling moose and black bear movement, habitat use, and connectivity across the state of Massachusetts. Identifying the impact of human development and roadways on movement, predicting human-wildlife conflict, and providing spatially explicit products to inform state wildlife management plans.
San Diego State University Research Foundation
June 2016 – July 2017
Postdoctoral Researcher; Modeling multi-scale habitat selection, movement, and corridors for a suite of wildlife to identify connectivity and road-crossing locations. Identifying wildlife road crossing structure specifications, wildlife fencing, and other road mitigation best practices for Caltrans. Developing conservation decision support tool for local land managers and planners.
University of California, Davis
September 2015 – February 2017
Environmental Consultant, Wildlife Health Center; Implemented multi-scale resource selection functions to identify important resource use patches and corridors for pumas in southern California. Running scenario analyses to inform municipal development and land use planning decisions.
Panthera, New York, New York
September 2011 – December 2014
Environmental Consultant, Landscape Analysis Lab; Assisted with various geospatial analyses for jaguar research and conservation.
Panthera, New York, New York
July 2008 – August 2011
Research Coordinator, Landscape Analysis Lab; Managed geospatial analysis laboratory. Designed and implemented spatial analyses to help develop range-wide conservation strategies for jaguars, snow leopards, tigers, and lions. Aided in the design and application of site-based conservation programs.
Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York
January 2004 – June 2008
Environmental Consultant, Jaguar Conservation Program; Performed geographically-based analysis of jaguar populations and corridors throughout jaguar range. Prioritized areas for site-based conservation efforts.
Whatcom Land Trust, Bellingham, Washington
June – August 2002
Environmental Consultant; Developed region-wide habitat conservation plan for the Cascades to Chuckanut Corridor area.
The Sierra Club, Montana Chapter, Missoula, Montana
September 2001 – May 2002
Environmental Consultant; Analysis of Kootenai and Lolo National Forests for both non-inventoried and inventoried roadless area value based on elk and grizzly bear habitat needs. Examined National Forest environmental impact statements for post burn salvage logging operations.
Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
May – October 2000
Grizzly Bear Research Field Coordinator, School of the Environment; Trained and led field and laboratory research teams in a non-invasive hair sampling survey for grizzly bears in the North Cascades.
United States Forest Service, Glacier, Washington
May – October 1999
Field Technician; Set up, checked, and collected hair from scratch pad survey for Lynx in the North Cascades.
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
May – October 1997
Research Assistant, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies; Participated in ecological baseline study of the Kenai Peninsula and Copper River Delta areas, silvicultural study of salvage logging in beetle killed Sitka spruce forests.
PUBLICATIONS
Peer-Reviewed Articles
Zeller, K.A., D.W. Wattles, S. DeStefano. 2018. Incorporating road crossing data into vehicle collision risk models for moose (Alces americanus) in Massachusetts, USA. Environmental Management 62: 518-528. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-018-1058-x
Wattles, D.W., K.A. Zeller, S. DeStefano. 2018. Range expansion in unfavorable environments through behavioral responses to microclimatic conditions: Moose (Alces americanus) as the model. Mammalian Bioology 93: 189-197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2018.05.009
Zeller, K.A., M.K. Jennings, T.W. Vickers, H.B. Ernest, S.A. Cushman, W.M. Boyce. 2018. Are all data types and connectivity models created equal? Validating common connectivity approaches with dispersal data. Diversity and Distributions 24: 868-879. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12742 **Selected as Editor’s Choice
Jędrzejewski, W., H.S. Robinson, M. Abarca, K.A. Zeller, G. Velasquez, E. Paemelaere, J.F. Goldberg, E. Payan, R. Hoogesteijn, E.O. Boede, K. Schmidt, M. Lampo, A.L. Viloria, R. Carreño, N. Robinnson, P.M. Lukacs, J.J. Nowak, R. Salom-Pérez, F. Castañeda, V. Boron, H. Quigley. 2018. Estimating large carnivore populations at global scale based on spatial predictions of density and distribution – application to the jaguar (Panthera onca). PLoS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194719
Wattles, D.W., K.A. Zeller, S. DeStefano. 2018. Response of moose to a high-density road network. Journal of Wildlife Management 82: 929-939. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.21459
Petracca, L., J. Frair, J. Cohen, A.P. Calderón, J. Carazo-Salazar, F. Castañeda, D. Corrales-Gutiérrez, R. Foster, B. Harmsen, S. Hernández-Potosme, L. Herrera, M. Olmos, S. Pereira, H. Robinson, N. Robinson, R. Salom-Pérez, Y. Urbina, K.A. Zeller, H. Quigley. 2017. Robust inference on large-scale species habitat use using interview data: The status of jaguars outside protected areas in Central America. Journal of Applied Ecology 55: 723-734. DOI 10.1111/1365-2664.12972
Zeller, K.A., T.W. Vickers, H.B. Ernest, W.M. Boyce. 2017. Multi-level, multi-scale resource selection functions and resistance surfaces for conservation planning: pumas as a case study. PLoS ONE 12(6): e0179570. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0179570.
Zeller, K.A., K. McGarigal, S.A. Cushman, P. Beier, T.W. Vickers, W.M. Boyce. 2017. Sensitivity of resource selection and connectivity models to landscape definition. Landscape Ecology 32: 835-855. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-017-0489-8
Olsoy, P.J., K.A. Zeller, J.A. Hicke, H.B. Quigley, A.R. Rabinowitz, D.H. Thornton. 2016. Quantifying the effects of deforestation and fragmentation on a range-wide conservation plan for jaguars. Biological Conservation 203: 8-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2016.08.037
Zeller, K.A., K. McGarigal, P. Beier, S.A. Cushman, T.W. Vickers, W.M. Boyce. 2016. Using step and path selection functions for estimating resistance to movement: pumas as a case study. Landscape Ecology 31: 1319-1335. https://doi.org.10.1007/s10980-015-0301-6
McGarigal, K., K.A. Zeller, S.A. Cushman. 2016. Multi-scale habitat selection modeling: Introduction to the special issue. Landscape Ecology 6: 1157-1160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-016-0388-4
McGarigal, K., H.Y. Wan, K.A. Zeller, B.C. Timm, S.A. Cushman. 2016. Multi-scale habitat modeling: A review and outlook. Landscape Ecology 6: 1161-1175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-016-0374-x
Zeller, K.A., T. G. Creech, K.L. Millette, R.S. Crowhurst, R.A. Long, H.H. Wagner, N. Balkenhol, E.L. Landguth. 2016. Using simulations to evaluate Mantel-based methods for assessing landscape resistance to gene flow. Ecology and Evolution 6: 4115-4128. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.2154
Thornton, D., K.A. Zeller, C. Rondinini, L. Boitani, K. Crooks, C. Burdett, H. Quigley. 2016. Assessing the umbrella value of a range-wide conservation network for jaguars (Panthera onca). Ecological Applications 26: 1112-1124. https://doi.org/10.1890/15-0602
Zeller, K.A., K. McGarigal, P. Beier, S.A. Cushman, T.W. Vickers, W.M. Boyce. 2014. Sensitivity of landscape resistance estimates based on point selection functions to scale and behavioral state: pumas as a case study. Landscape Ecology 29: 541-557. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-014-9991-4
Zeller, K.A., K. McGarigal, A. Whiteley. 2012. Estimating landscape resistance to movement: A review. Landscape Ecology 27:777-797. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-012-9737-0
Zeller, K.A., S. Nijhawan, J. Hines, R. Salom-Perez, S. Hernandez. 2011. Integrating Site Occupancy Modeling and Interview Data for Identifying Jaguar (Panthera onca) Corridors: A case study from Nicaragua. Biological Conservation 144: 892-901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2010.12.003
Salom-Pérez, R., J. Polisar, H. Quigley, K.A. Zeller. 2010. Iniciativa del Corredor del Jaguar: Un Corredor Biológico y un Compromiso a Largo Plazo para la Conservación. Mesoamericana 14: 25-34.
Rabinowitz, A., K. A. Zeller. 2010. A Range-wide model of landscape connectivity and conservation for the jaguar, Panthera onca. Biological Conservation 143: 939-945. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2010.01.002
Zeller, K.A. 2007. Jaguars in the New Millennium Data Set Update: The State of the Jaguar in 2006. Wildlife Conservation Society Report. Bronx, NY.
Book Chapters
Zeller, K.A, A. Rabinowitz, R. Salom-Perez, H.Quigley. 2013. The Jaguar Corridor Initiative: A range-wide conservation strategy. In M. Ruiz-Garcia and J.M. Shostell (Eds.) Molecular Population Genetics, Evolutionary Biology and Biological Conservation of Neotropical Carnivores. Nova Publishers. Pp. 629-658.
Cushman, S.A., B. McRae, F. Adriaensen, P. Beier, M. Shirley, K.A. Zeller. 2013. Biological Corridors and Connectivity. In D. MacDonald and K. Willis (Eds.) Key Topics in Conservation Biology 2. Wiley-Blackwell. Pp. 384-404.
Zeller, K.A., A. Rabinowitz. 2011. Using Geographic Information Systems for Range-wide Species Conservation Planning. In C.J. Dawsen (Ed.) Geographic Information Systems. Nova Publishers. Pp. 85-105.
Popular Articles/Chapters
Zeller, K.A. M.K. Jennings, T.W. Vickers, H.B. Ernes, S.A. Cushman, W.M. Boyce. 2018. How should we be modeling connectivity for wild felids? Wild Felid Monitor. Summer, 2018.
Zeller, K.A. 2018. Which data types and connectivity algorithms best capture individual movement? Conservation Corridor. April 17, 2018.
Zeller, K.A. 2016. Best practices: What is the best approach to estimate resistance? Conservation Corridor. May 10, 2016.
Zeller, K.A. 2009. Mountain lions in Iowa? Maybe next year. The Huffington Post. December 18th, 2009.
Zeller, K.A. 2009. Panthera launches Jaguar Corridor Initiative. Cat News 50: 28-29.
Marieb, K.A. 2006. Tracking Hope. In J. Bove (Ed.) A Mile in Her Boots: Women Who Work in the Wild. Solas House, Palo Alto, California. pp. 160-166.
PRESENTATIONS
Invited Presentations – Scientific Meetings
Zeller, K.A., M. Jennings. Capturing species-specific connectivity with land facets. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference. September 23-27, 2017, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Zeller, K.A., M. Jennings, T.W. Vickers, W.M. Boyce. From ensemble species distribution models to ensemble corridors: A case study from San Diego County. International Urban Wildlife Conference. June 4-7, 2017, San Diego, California, U.S.
Zeller, K.A. K. McGarigal, P. Beier, S.A. Cushman, T.W. Vickers, W. Boyce. Sensitivity of Step Selection Functions and Resistance Estimates to GPS Collar Sampling Intensity. North American Congress for Conservation Biology. July 13-16, 2014, Missoula, Montana, U.S.
Zeller, K.A., S. Nijhawan, J. Hines, R. Salom-Perez, S. Hernandez. Field validation of corridor models. Corridor Workshop, WildCRU. June 8-9, 2010, Oxford, UK.
Zeller, K.A. Assessing Jaguar Corridors In Central America. Plan de Conservacion Jaguares en Panama. February 23-24, 2010, City of Knowledge, Panama.
Zeller, K.A. 2008. Tiger Corridor Modelling. Tigers Forever Conference. July 26 – 31, 2008, Huai Kha Khaeng, Thailand.
Presentations – Scientific Meetings
Zeller, K.A., T.W. Vickers, H.B. Ernest, W.M. Boyce. Integrating habitat use and movement across space and time to create a multi‐level, multi‐scale conservation plan for puma in Southern California. International Urban Wildlife Conference. June 4-7, 2017, San Diego, California, U.S.
Zeller KA, K. McGarigal, S.A. Cushman, P. Beier, T.W. Vickers, W. Boyce. Sensitivity of Resource Selection and Connectivity Models to Landscape Definition. US Regional Association of the International Association for Landscape Ecology. April 5-7, 2016, Asheville, North Carolina. U.S.
Zeller, K.A. K. McGarigal, P. Beier, S.A. Cushman, T.W. Vickers, W. Boyce. Evaluating resistance surfaces for wildlife. International Association for Landscape Ecology World Congress. July 5-10, 2015, Portland, Oregon, U.S. * Honorable Mention Student Presentation Competition
Zeller, K.A., K. McGarigal, P. Beier, S.A. Cushman, T.W. Vickers, W. Boyce. The importance of scale and behavioral state in puma resource selection functions. Eleventh Mountain Lion Workshop: Integrating Scientific Findings Into Management. May 12-15, 2014, Cedar City, Utah, U.S.
Zeller, K.A., K. McGarigal, P. Beier, S.A. Cushman, T.W. Vickers, W. Boyce. Effect of GPS collar sampling intensity on habitat selection inference: Mountain lions as a case study. International Congress for Conservation Biology. July 21-25, 2013, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Zeller, K.A., A. Rabinowitz. Range-wide landscape connectivity for the jaguar, Panthera onca. Latin American International Association of Landscape Ecology Conference: Landscape Ecology in Latin America: Challenges and Perspectives. October 4-7, 2009, Campos do Jordao, Brazil.
Zeller, K.A., S. Nijhawan, J. Hines, R. Salom-Perez, S. Hernandez. 2009. A new method for identifying jaguar corridors in the field. MesoAmerican Society for Biology and Conservation. October 26-30, 2009, Belize City, Belize.
Zeller, K.A., J. Polisar, R.Salom-Perez. 2008. Jaguar Dispersal Corridors: Making the maps a reality. Society for Conservation Biology 2008 Annual Meeting. July 13-17, 2008, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Rabinowitz, Alan, K.A. Marieb, K. Conforti. 2006. Connecting the dots: Preserving genetic continuity of the jaguar throughout its range. Carnivores Conference 2006. November 12-15, 2006, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Marieb, K.A. 2006. Jaguars in the New Millennium Data Set and Jaguar Corridor Initiative. Congreso de la Socieded Mesoamericana para la Biología y la Conservación. November 1, 2006, Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Invited Seminars and Lectures
Zeller, K.A. 2017. Integrating habitat use and movement across space and time to create multi-level, multi-scale conservation models: A case study for puma in Southern California. Northern Arizona University, Forestry Seminar National Speaker.
Zeller, K.A. 2014, 2015, 2016. The future of wildlife conservation. University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Zeller, K.A. 2015. The Jaguar Corridor Initiative. University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Zeller, K.A. 2012. The importance of connectivity for genetic health of wildlife populations. University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Zeller, K.A. 2011. The Jaguar Corridor Initiative. The 92nd Street YMCA. New York, New York.
FELLOWSHIPS & STUDENT AWARDS
Switzer Environmental Fellowship, 2015-2016
AAUW Dissertation Fellowship, 2015-2016
P.E.O. Scholar Award, 2015-2016
University of Massachusetts Graduate School Fellowship, 2015-2016
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, 2011-2016
Kaplan Graduate Award, 2011-2015
Paula Milner Scholarship, 2012/2016
University of Massachusetts Graduate School Fellowship, 2011-2012
B. and B. Dawson Scholarship, 2003
Doris Duke Conservation Fellow, 2002
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Instructor
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts September – December 2018
Co-Instructor, Research Concepts
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts September – December 2017
Co-Instructor, Conservation in Practice
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts September – December 2015
Wildlife Corridors for Conservation
EcoLand Consulting, Amherst, Massachusetts January 2013/2014/2015
Co-Instructor of a 2-week intensive Landscape Ecology course for federal employees
Wild Rockies Field Institute, Missoula, Montana Seasonal 2004/2005/2006
Lead Field Instructor for college courses in ecology, conservation biology, natural history, and cultural history in both the U.S. and Mexico
Teaching Assistant
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts September 2012 – May 2015
Analysis of Environmental Data
Landscape Ecology
Applied Biostatistics
University of Montana, Missoula, Montana September 2001- May 2002
Environmental Science
Environmental Politics and Policy
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND SERVICE
Officer
Treasurer, 2018-present, Spatial Ecology & Telemetry Working Group, The Wildlife Society
Member
IUCN Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group, IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, Connectivity Policy Coalition, International Association of Landscape Ecology, Society for Conservation Biology, Wild Felid Research and Management Association, The Wildlife Society
Journal Reviewer
Biological Conservation, Conservation Biology, Diversity and Distributions, Ecological Applications, Ecological Modelling, Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal of Wildlife Management, Landscape Ecology, Landscape and Urban Planning, Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Molecular Ecology, Movement Ecology, Molecular Ecology Resources, PlosONE